Algeria and DR Congo will face off in the Round of 16 of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 on Tuesday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, each side aiming to continue their march toward the quarter-finals.
Les Fennecs, 2019 champions, have been in sensational form during the group stage, winning all three matches and conceding just once. Led by captain Riyadh Mahrez, Algeria have scored seven goals and showcased a strong balance between attack and defense. The North Africans have also enjoyed a psychological edge, remaining unbeaten in their last seven meetings against DR Congo, winning three and drawing four.
DR Congo, meanwhile, finished second in Group D with seven points, recording two wins and a draw. Les Léopards have conceded just once and kept two clean sheets, scoring five goals across the group matches. Veteran forwards Cedric Bakambu and Gaël Kakuta provide experience and firepower for the team under coach Sébastien Desabre.
Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković praised DR Congo’s strengths, noting their “positive attacking approach and strong momentum,” while Desabre highlighted the high stakes of the match and the valuable experience it offers his players.
Historically, the sides have met seven times. Algeria has three wins to DR Congo’s zero, with four draws, including the last four meetings ending in stalemates. Their most recent competitive encounter dates back to the 1988 AFCON, which Algeria won.
Tuesday’s clash promises to be a tightly contested encounter as both sides look to advance to the quarter-finals in Morocco.
